Brewers fall to Cubs 5-3 on June 18, 2025, as Seiya Suzuki's 3-run HR proves decisive. Despite Isaac Collins' homer, Milwaukee's division gap widens.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic NL Central slugfest at the Friendly Confines, but unfortunately, the friendly feelings ended there for the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite jumping out to an early lead and getting a heroic performance from Isaac Collins, the Crew couldn't hold off the Chicago Cubs, falling 5-3 in a pivotal series opener that saw their division deficit grow to a tough-to-swallow 6.5 games.
The loss drops Milwaukee 6.5 games behind the Cubs in the division.
Things started promisingly enough. Isaac Collins put the Brewers on the board and gave them a 2-1 lead, and for a moment, it felt like Milwaukee was ready to make a statement. But the fifth inning turned the tide. Chad Patrick, who battled through five innings, couldn't escape the Cubs' rally, which was brutally capped by a three-run blast from Seiya Suzuki. Joey Ortiz tried to spark a comeback with an RBI single in the sixth, but the Brewers' bats couldn't string together the big hits when needed most, highlighted by a crucial strikeout from Rhys Hoskins with a runner on third in the seventh. Pete Crow-Armstrong's mammoth 452-foot solo shot in the eighth was the final dagger.
If you're looking for a silver lining, look no further than Isaac Collins. The outfielder was Milwaukee's best player on the field Wednesday, bar none. He launched a two-run homer that gave the Brewers the lead and provided a jolt of energy. Not content with just his bat, he also made a spectacular diving catch in left field that saved at least one run. In a game where positives were scarce, Collins' two-way performance was a massive bright spot and a reminder of the dynamic talent simmering on this roster.
While the big-league club took a tough loss, the future of the organization continues to shine. The Brewers' farm system just cracked MLB's top 10, a remarkable feat considering Jackson Chourio graduated to the majors this season. It's a testament to the front office's drafting and international scouting. Case in point: No. 2 prospect Jeferson Quero had a monster night for Triple-A Nashville, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. With performances like that, his ETA in Milwaukee feels closer than ever. He's part of a wave of talent, including flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski—set for his second big-league start soon—that promises to keep this team competitive for years to come.
Losing to a division rival always stings, especially when the gap widens. The Brewers left Wrigley with a loss, but not without hope. The flashes from Collins, the continued development of prospects like Quero and Misiorowski, and the overall strength of the farm system show that the talent is there. Now, the challenge is putting it all together at the major league level, and fast. They'll need to shake this one off and come back ready to fight in the next game to prevent the Cubs from running away with the Central.
